Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Book Bag Tutorial

This is my first attempt at making a purse outof a hardback book. I took pictures along theway and thought I would share how I did it...

First, pick a hardback that has a cover you like and is not attached to the spine. This book wasabout three inches thick. I think the thicker thebetter as this will determine how room you will have inside.

Next using a craft knife or razor cut the insideof the book down the edge of the cover pagebeing careful not to cut into the spine. Do thesame to the back cover page and remove the inside.

Pick out your fabric and fold a piece in half andplace the book on top...opening it to the widththat you would like it to be able to open.

Lay the folded edge at the top ( the widest part)and allowing 1 inch all the way around...cut out.Cut two of these pieces for each end of the book.

You will need to sew 1/4" seam or glue theedges together...I think the next time I makeone I will use an iron on fabric bonding material.I used the glue gun as I wanted to get it donefast with no sewing!!

Now you need to measure the front cover ofthe book and cut two pieces of cardboardslightly smaller than the cover...

Cut two pieces of fabric 1 inch larger all theway around and clip off the corners leaving1/4 inch from the cardboard.

Lay fabric wrong side up with the cardboardon top. Put a little glue on each corner and press the fabric onto it. Run a line of glue down one side and fold fabric over it and press down smooth. Do the opposite side next and the the ends.

Do the same for the other piece of fabric andcardboard. If you have ever made a coveredphoto album this is done the same way.

Now measure two pieces of grosgrain ribbonfor the handles and one piece for the closingtab. You could sew your handles if you wouldlike it to match. Mine were 24 inches. I cut apiece 6 inches for the closing tab.

Glue them in place on each side of the edgeof the book. The tab is glued on the backof the front of the book.

Now is the hard part...gluing the end pieces.Run a line of glue on the front edge and press fabric to it being sure that the fold is even withthe edge. Then do the back edge. Then do thebottom of the triangle to the spine. Repeat onthe other side.

Now cut a piece of fabric the size of the spine plus1 inch all the way around and press the 1 inch onthe ends under.

Now starting at one end place glue on the foldedunder part and press down over the end to cover the triangle edges. Working your way down the

spine by gluing a little at a time until you get to the other end.

Now to cover the uglies! Taking the covered cardboard piece place it inside the book and

starting at the bottom glue and press in place and hold till cool. Then glue the middle and last the top. Using clips or clothespins to hold the edgesuntil the glue is cool or dry depending on whichkind of glue you used.

Now the inside is finished!!!!

Now you need to place the flap on the back andmeasure where to glue the velcro...keep in mindthat the bag will have stuff in it and that will make the tab shorter. Fold under the end of thetab and glue it...then glue the velcro to the end of the tab.

Now you are done!!!! ...I wouldn't carry a lot of heavy things in it but it will hold a billfold,comb and keys. Or this would be great to carrythe book you are reading and your readingglasses in!!! ENJOY!!!

3 comments:

How creative and unique!! Why you could do all kinds of purses with that pattern!!I also wanted to say I hope your granddaughter gets well soon! Atleast she got into the doctor and her flu taken seriously. Take care!

Introducing Me

I stitch in the beautiful mountains of NC. I have been married for 37 years, have 3 children and 5 lovely granddaughters who are showing real interest in fabrics and threads. I have two cats, Booker and Zoe and one dog, Nubbin my Yorkie-Poo.
I love all needlework and try to do some stitching everyday. I also love to read and play my dulcimer.